[Turboat]

Hey everyone. First post, sorry if its in the wrong spot. OK looking to buy a 99 Forester L from a mechanic who just did a timing belt valves and head. It was his wife's car and about 2 weeks ago the tensioner went on her (previous owner didn't have the tensioner done with a new belt). Everything looked good and the car drives great and pulls hard.

Here is the problem, there is a tick (not a knock) when it starts up. It goes away after about 1 min with the car in idle. It will then come back while driving at about 1700 2000 rpm. It is rpm dependent and just keeps going all the way through the tac, faster and faster. It doesn't sound low like a knock. The mechanic said that he has been driving the last few days and everything feels fine. I trust the guy and hes been honest about everything. He thinks it may have to do with he cam, rockers or possibly a rod bearing. Any help advice would be great. This would be my first subaru :icon_biggrin:

 

[flstffxe]

This is one of those things that is hard to advise about with out physically being able to have the car infront of a experienced Subaru mechanic with a stethoscope in hand.

I always get scetchy when mechanics try to sell something imediatly after they have done repairs on a vehicle they have owned. Typically it means the repair was done on the cheap and they want out before it catches up with them.

Some mechanics will do a repair right no matter oif they plan on keeping it or not, but unless you know that mechanic personally you have no way of knowing.

It might just be me, but I would pass.

 

[adc]

It was his wife's car..it broke...he fixed it...its making noise...he's selling it....Do you see where I am going with this? [hint he doesn't want his wife driving it.]

Welcome to the board

 

[Turboat]

Thanks for the quick replies. Im willing to put more money into it, but im not to keen on putting a new engine in it. Just wasn't sure if in this situation it sounded like a common problem with an "easy" fix.

 

[Turboat]

looks to be the valve adjustment issue. The noise is coming from the right side of the engine. The mechanic is going to adjust them and we will go from there.